Centro de la Familia de Utah has announced the departure of Jose E. Martinez, director of the Migrant Head Start Program, effective July 10.
Martinez, a 19-year veteran of the agency, plans to pursue other opportunities, including consulting with other Head Start grantees, said Graciela Italiano-Thomas, CEO of Centro de la Familia de Utah.The agency has been the state's only Migrant Head Start Program since 1990, with more than 600 low-income and mobile migrant families being served in Roy, Brigham City, Mt. Pleasant, Provo, Salem, Gunnison, Garland and elsewhere. It provides a comprehensive set of services including full-day educational, child care, health and dental care and nutritional and social services. The program serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Italiano-Thomas praised Martinez and said he'd be sorely missed.
Abby Trujillo-Maestas has been named acting director of the program. She has been executive officer of Centro de la Familia since joining the agency last fall and brings nearly two decades of non-profit administrative experience, having worked with agencies such as the Utah Girl Scout Council and the Rape Recovery Center.